The Anti-Faith Powers and the Faithful
*Revelation 17 [Take a moment and read this passage.]
Observations from the Structure and Context of this Passage:
This might be THE CRAZIEST passage we’ll look at.
It’s helpful to know that, in context, this passage is connected to Revelation 12-13. Last week, we looked at Revelation 12, which is the story of The Dragon raging against God, Christ, and Jesus’ followers. In Revelation 13 The Dragon calls forth The Beast from the sea. Putting this together, we are to understand that The Dragon is behind The Beast, and these are the powers prop up The Prostitute of Revelation 17.
There is an anti-Jesus, anti-saints, collusion of powers that stretches from Satan, to the Kings of the earth (pictured by The Beast, 17:9-12), to the Economic and Cultural power pictured by The Prostitute.
In other words, that’s a lot of power working against us!
It is also helpful to connect the work of Satan in Revelation 12:17, warring against the people of Jesus, with the work of Governments (The Beast) who “make war on the saints” (13:7), and the Cultural Power (The Prostitute) that is “drunk with the blood of the saints.”
In other words, that’s a lot of power—and we are going to suffer.
But, this passage emphasizes, God is Sovereign over it all and Christ is victorious against it all. (8, 11, 14, 17)
In other words, that’s not enough power! They will fall and Christ will conquer!
Emphasis
That’s a lot of power. We are going to suffer. But God is Sovereign and Christ will conquer.
Argument of Revelation 17
The great powers of this world, under whom you will suffer, remain under God’s Sovereign Victory.
Good News
“They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of Lords and Kings of Kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Rev 17:14)
All that wars against us, all that brings suffering into our lives, not only cannot defeat Jesus, they cannot truly touch His people. We are with Jesus. He called us, chose us, and has made us His own.
In other words, “Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)
Nothing.
Application
The angel shows John these terrifying visions and explains them right away. And the explanations make it all more terrifying!
What are we to do? This passage suggests two applications: see this vision and stay faithful.
1) See. (v1, 3, 6) That is, really see what’s happening. Don’t be a sucker. “Babylon” is not your friend. “The kings of the earth have set themselves against the LORD and against His Christ.” (Psa 2:2) Don’t cozy up to political parties or get comfortable with the culture or the wealth of the world. It’s blood money. Our blood, brothers and sisters, bought and sold for convenience and entertainment.
2) Be faithful to the Lamb. (v14) We are called, chosen, and faithful. Right?
The dragon, the beast, the prostitute—since the Garden of Eden, the Tower of Babel, Egypt, Baal, Babylon, and so forth, great powers oppose our God, His Word, and His people.
This is the story. There’s not another story.
But this whole story of power and opposition is just a chapter in a larger story, the story of Jesus. He will conquer. It’s not the dragon-, beast-, Babylon-trio that’s too much. Christ is too much. (In our final passage, Revelation 19:11-21, we’ll see just how too much Jesus is for His enemies.)
When the times up, when the plan is finished, it’ll be game over. Not for us, for them.
For us? Keep reading in Revelation. Soon, beloved. Until then, stay faithful. We will be saved.
Prayer
LORD God, sometimes I feel so small. The world, evil, folly, seems so powerful and big. I feel so small and I get so scared.
Thank You for this precious passage of Scripture that reminds me that, yes, the powers of this world are truly terrifying. But, no, they cannot stand against You and Christ and Your people.
I have been called and chosen—thank You, Lord—and I will be faithful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Photo by Laura Ockel on Unsplash